From the Vault...

06/13/2021
#1782

info
Kathy Mattea
"A Collection Of Hits"


© Mercury/Polygram Records

Year of Release: 1990
Rating:

track listing
  • Love At The
    Five And Dime
  • Walk The Way
    The Wind Blows
  • Train Of Memories
  • Goin' Gone
  • The Battle Hymn Of Love
  • Eighteen Wheels And
    A Dozen Roses
  • Untold Stories
  • Life As We Knew It
  • A Few Good
    Things Remain
  • Where've You Been

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    Kathy Mattea related sites:
    Kathy Mattea Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #1781
    Laura Story--Blessings
    Next Review: #1783
    Restless Heart--Fast Movin' Train
    Kathy Mattea
    "A Collection Of Hits"



    I really didn't follow Country music in the 1980s, but yet, I wish I did. Comparing to today's Country, reliving the past decades of Country is a treat. The 1980s in Country saw Kathy Mattea, a very good Country artist in her own right. She accomplished four #1 Country hits in the 1980s, as two of them is from this week's chosen album: A Collection Of Hits. This compilation chronicles Mattea's work, from 1986 to 1990. "Goin' Gone" and "Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses" were both from 1988.


    "Love At The Five And Dime" (1986) starts the compilation, and it includes harmony vocals by another Country legend, Don Williams - Anthology, and The Best Of Volume 2: The Millennium Collection "Walk The Way The Wind Blows" (1986) is another good Country sounding tune. "Train Of Memories" (1986) is DEFINITELY a GREAT Country-sounding tune! It's a wonder this song DIDN'T reach #1.


    It's easy to hear how "Goin' Gone" (1987) hit #1 (1988) ... It's another great Country tune, as it has a comparison to another great female Country singer, Rosanne Cash - Hits 1979-1989. "The Battle Hymn Of Love" (1987) is a duet with Tim O'Brien. And, its more of a ballad-sounding tune. And yes, it's a Country ballad-sounding tune. This song was co-written by Country artist Paul Overstreet - The Best Of Paul Overstreet. His name may not be familiar to some, yet he has written and recorded many great Country songs.


    "Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses" (1987) is the other #1 from Mattea (1988). And if you haven't heard it, you should... It is one of many great 1980s Country decade songs worth listening and discovering. Old-fashioned Country gets the next track, "Untold Stories" (1987), written by Tim O'Brien (who duetted on Mattea's "The Battle Hymn Of Love." O'Brien shares background vocals on this song, and on the next one, "Life As We Knew It" (1987); another great, nice-and-pleasant Country tune. Who is Tim O'Brien? Click here


    And the remainig two songs are great, pleasant-sounding Country tunes - "A Few Good Things Remain" (1980), and "Where've You Been." (1989). Beautiful. "Where've You Been" has a comparison to Reba McEntire, yet Mattea's singing voice is much more natural. Again, simply Beautiful.


    Wow.. Where was Kathy Mattea, and I never heard of her, until I researched the #1 Country songs... A beautiful voice, definitely Country. Her other two #1 Country songs would appear on her 1989 release, Willow In The Wind -- "Come From The Heart" and "Burnin' Old Memories." (Both songs reached #1 in 1989.) That album, and Lonesome Standard (which I located from Goodwill), will both be reviewed at later dates.


    If you have never heard of Kathy Mattea, I highly recommend you to discover her. She began her Country music career in 1984, and has released a total of 15 studio albums. Her most recent album is from 2018, Pretty Bird. Four Country #1's, and many Country singles; of which reached the Top 40 and better. A Collection Of Hits are "HITS" -- no misses. Kathy Mattea has already proven herself as one of many Country's leading Country female singers. After listening to these hits, you'll want to hear more, and read up on her career, and observe her other albums she has previously recorded. Discover Kathy Mattea. You'll be glad you did.


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    Previous Review: #1781
    Laura Story--Blessings
    Next Review: #1783
    Restless Heart--Fast Movin' Train